A health-promoting effect of sauerkraut may be linked to the high content of glucosinolates
(up to 1% of dry weight) of the white cabbage.45 Glucosinolates undergo
hydrolysis during fermentation46 by the enzyme myrosinase. Some of the resulting
metabolic products, including indoles and isothiocyanates are highly reactive compounds
and were shown to be powerful inhibitors of carcinogenesis in laboratory
animals.47 Isothiocyanates are able to inhibit mitosis and stimulate apoptosis in
human tumor cells,48 and influence phase I and phase II biotransformation enzyme